My Former Disciple Wants Me as His Bride

“But how did you find me?”

“I received a letter before leaving the Empire. Prince Lakan sent our Crown Prince what was practically a coded message.”

“What did he…?”

“‘Eris Blaine, a woman with vivid wine-red hair and green eyes that seem to hold the light of spring, will be waiting at the harbor to receive the young duke. I hope you have a pleasant journey.’ Perhaps he was worried I still wouldn’t recognize you, because he was kind enough to send along a portrait as well.”

Ciel smiled innocently, oblivious to what was going through Eris’s mind.

‘So he didn’t tell me a damn thing, but he gave Ciel all my information in advance?’

A strange sense of betrayal washed over her. At the same time, Eris finally understood why the prince had entrusted a mere mercenary like her with both escorting and monitoring Ciel, and why he had made himself completely unreachable afterward.

“It is an honor to meet the Silver Shield of Tervanne, Young Duke Silverion.”

To them, Eris was a disposable card. If she was caught spying under the guise of an escort and lost her life, it would be no great loss, and they could cut ties with her whenever necessary.

That was surely why the prince had refused to show himself until the very day of the assignment. He wanted to leave no evidence connecting himself to the order to monitor their imperial guest.

‘This is why I can’t stand rich bastards.’

Most of them were selfish enough to regard other people’s lives as no more valuable than ants.

‘I really need to get out of this kingdom as soon as possible.’

Eris clicked her tongue inside and shook her head in disgust.

“You’re quite familiar with imperial etiquette. But there’s no need to be so formal with me, Miss Eris.”

“The Silverion family’s reputation is well known even here in the kingdom….”

Eris muttered the words in a dwindling voice.

A small part of her wondered whether that might finally stir his memory, but Ciel merely looked down at her with the same blank gaze as before. It was a relief, and yet at the same time, the sight left an inexplicable ache somewhere beneath her ribs.

“Miss Eris, I’d like to spend my time in this kingdom resting quietly.”

For eight years, Ciel had remained an indelible mark on Eris’s life. Yet to this dazzling nobleman, it seemed she had not even amounted to a fleeting fragment of his adolescence.

Then again, they had never shared an affectionate relationship, nor had they ever been particularly close. It made sense that he might have forgotten her. Eris had always been the one burdened by discomfort over their past.

This time was simply no different.

“I’d also prefer that the nobles of this kingdom remain unaware that I’m a member of the Silverion family. That’s why I politely declined both the grand welcoming ceremony and the offer to have the kingdom’s knights serve as my escort.”

Eris quickly caught the meaning beneath his words.

It was practically a warning. Don’t go around telling people who I am.

Apparently, the fact that she had been assigned to him by the prince had already made Ciel wary of her.

And when her mission required her to keep him under surveillance, having her target distrust her from the outset would only make things more difficult.

Eris answered calmly and politely.

“For as long as you remain here in Celis, I’ll be staying by your side. I doubt I’ll have much opportunity to pass anything along to anyone else, so you needn’t worry.”

“I like the sound of that. That you’ll always be by my side.”

Ciel smiled.

His lips curved as gracefully as a crescent moon hanging in the sky, a smile that could look refreshingly pleasant from one angle and faintly mocking from another.

“Then I’ll be in your care.”

Ciel extended a hand toward Eris, inviting a handshake.

“Yes, Young Duke.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Eris gently placed her hand in his, and Ciel tightened his grip.

His large hand completely enveloped hers, its warmth more than enough to chase away the chill left by the harsh sea breeze sweeping through the harbor.

“Would you call me by my name from now on, Miss Eris?”

At his courteous request, Eris’s face tightened with discomfort.

“How could I possibly address the Young Duke by—”

“I’m worried someone might overhear.”

Eris pressed her lower lip between her teeth, remembering the polite warning he had given her only moments ago.

Ciel watched her conflicted expression for a moment before speaking again.

“Once this trip is over, we’ll never see each other again anyway. Isn’t that right? I promise I won’t cause any trouble for the kingdom over something like this.”

She had fled from the past as though running for her life. She had spent all these years dreading the possibility of ever facing Ciel again, yet now that she had finally encountered him, nothing had happened.

Perhaps she had been far too frightened all along. Maybe it would be all right to be a little bolder.

“Yes, Lord Ciel.”

It was the first time in eight years that she had spoken his name aloud.

The familiar syllables, steeped in memories of the past, lingered strangely on the tip of her tongue before fading away. Eris’s shoulders gave an involuntary shiver.

“I like that.”

His grip on her hand tightened ever so slightly before gently releasing her.

The moment his warmth disappeared, the chilly harbor wind brushed over the back of her hand once more. An inexplicably ticklish sensation lingered there, and Eris quickly hid her hand behind her back.